Reflection-less in-home network adapter

ABSTRACT

A system includes an input and a plurality of outputs. The system also includes an in-home network adapter configured to connect to and be positioned between the input and the plurality of outputs. The system also includes a splitter configured to connect to and be positioned between the in-home network adapter and the plurality of outputs. The input is configured to receive signals in a cable television (CATV) bandwidth and signals in a multimedia over coax alliance (MoCA) bandwidth. The in-home network adapter is configured to allow the signals in the MoCA bandwidth to pass from the input to the plurality of outputs and from the plurality of outputs to the input. The in-home network adapter is configured to attenuate or prevent the signals in the CATV bandwidth from passing from the input to the plurality of outputs, from the plurality of outputs to the input, or both.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/248,241, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 62/618,224, filed on Jan. 17, 2018, and U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/684,579, filed on Jun. 13, 2018. The entirety ofthese applications is incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

Typical legacy splitters or power dividers that are used in cabletelevision (CATV) and multimedia over coax alliance (MoCA) networks havepredominantly used ferrite transformers to provide a broadband circuitwith low input-to-output loss and high output-to-output isolation. Theseferrite splitter circuits are structured in many different ways toinclude additional intermediate circuits to achieve acceptable in-homeperformance for the CATV bandwidths (e.g., 5-1002 MHz) and MoCAbandwidths (e.g., 1125-1675 MHz). In such ferrite core splitters,however, the extension of bandwidth and/or the addition of intermediatecircuits both increase input-to-output losses and have high isolation inthe output-to-output MoCA band with notches that may cause loss ofin-band signals. The notches are prevalent in both the CATV and MoCAbandwidths. The notches are amplified by circuit mismatches and alteringintra-device line lengths. Therefore, it would be desirable to have anew reflection-less adapter that will absorb or attenuate theout-of-band signals, preventing such transmitted or reflected signalsfrom introducing noise into a coupled access or CATV network.

SUMMARY

A system includes a first device. The first device includes a firstinput. The first device also includes a first splitter configured toconnect to the first input. The first device also includes a firstdiplexer having a first common port, a first high-pass filter, and afirst low-pass filter. A first output of the first splitter isconfigured to connect to the first common port. The first device alsoincludes a second diplexer having a second common port, a secondhigh-pass filter, and a second low-pass filter. The first high-passfilter is configured to connect to the second high-pass filter. Thefirst low-pass filter is configured to connect to the second low-passfilter. The first device also includes a first diode configured toconnect to and be positioned between the first and second high-passfilters. The first device also includes a second diode configured toconnect to and be positioned between the first and second low-passfilters. The first device also includes a third diplexer having a thirdcommon port, a third high-pass filter, and a third low-pass filter. Thesecond common port is configured to connect to the third low-passfilter. The first device also includes a fourth diplexer having a fourthcommon port, a fourth high-pass filter, and a fourth low-pass filter. Asecond output of the first splitter is configured to connect to thefourth low-pass filter. The third high-pass filter is configured toconnect to the fourth high-pass filter. The first device also includes asecond splitter configured to connect to the third common port. Thefirst device also includes a first output configured to connect to thefourth common port. The first device also includes a plurality of secondoutputs configured to connect to the second splitter. The system alsoincludes a second device. The second device includes a second inputconfigured to connect to one of the second outputs. The second devicealso includes a plurality of third outputs. Each third output isconfigured to connect to a customer premise equipment (CPE) device. Thesecond device also includes an in-home network adapter configured toconnect to and be positioned between the second input and the pluralityof third outputs. The second device also includes a third splitterconfigured to connect to and be positioned between the in-home networkadapter and the plurality of third outputs. The second device alsoincludes a first resistor configured to connect to and be positionedbetween the in-home network adapter and the third splitter. The seconddevice also includes a plurality of second resistors. One of theplurality of second resistors is configured to connect to and bepositioned between the third splitter and each of the plurality of thirdoutputs. The first diode is configured to allow signals to pass from thefirst high-pass filter to the second high-pass filter. The first diodeis configured to prevent signals from passing from the second high-passfilter to the first high-pass filter. The second diode is configured toallow signals to pass from the second low-pass filter to the firstlow-pass filter. The second diode is configured to prevent signals frompassing from the first low-pass filter to the second low-pass filter.The second input is configured to receive signals in a cable television(CATV) bandwidth and signals in a multimedia over coax alliance (MoCA)bandwidth from the first device. The in-home network adapter includes afifth diplexer having a fifth high-pass filter and a fifth low-passfilter. The in-home network adapter is configured to allow the signalsin the MoCA bandwidth to pass from the second input to the plurality ofthird outputs and from the plurality of third outputs to the secondinput. The in-home network adapter is configured to attenuate or preventthe signals in the CATV bandwidth from passing from the second input tothe plurality of third outputs, from the plurality of third outputs tothe second input, or both. The in-home network adapter is configured tocause a return loss at the second input to be greater than 20 dB in theCATV bandwidth and from about 5 dB to about 20 dB in the MoCA bandwidthwithout a bridge circuit. The in-home network adapter is configured tocause a return loss at one of the plurality of third outputs to be fromabout 0 dB to about 45 dB in the CATV bandwidth and from about 18 dB toabout 42 dB in the MoCA bandwidth without the bridge circuit. Thein-home network adapter is configured to cause an insertion loss betweenthe second input and the one of the plurality of third outputs to begreater than about 40 dB in the CATV bandwidth and from about 15 dB toabout 25 dB in the MoCA bandwidth without the bridge circuit. The firstresistor has a lesser resistance than each of the second resistors tominimize a through-loss of the second device. Each of the plurality ofsecond resistors has a substantially equal resistance.

In another embodiment, the system includes an input. The system alsoincludes a plurality of outputs. Each output is configured to connect toa customer premise equipment (CPE) device. The system also includes anin-home network adapter configured to connect to and be positionedbetween the input and the plurality of outputs. The system also includesa splitter configured to connect to and be positioned between thein-home network adapter and the plurality of outputs. The system alsoincludes a first resistor configured to connect to and be positionedbetween the in-home network adapter and the splitter. The system alsoincludes a plurality of second resistors. One of the plurality of secondresistors is configured to connect to and be positioned between thesplitter and each of the plurality of outputs. The input is configuredto receive signals in a cable television (CATV) bandwidth and signals ina multimedia over coax alliance (MoCA) bandwidth. The in-home networkadapter includes a diplexer comprising a high-pass filter and a low-passfilter. The in-home network adapter is configured to allow the signalsin the MoCA bandwidth to pass from the input to the plurality of outputsand from the plurality of outputs to the input. The in-home networkadapter is configured to attenuate or prevent the signals in the CATVbandwidth from passing from the input to the plurality of outputs, fromthe plurality of outputs to the input, or both. The in-home networkadapter is configured to cause a return loss at the input to be greaterthan 20 dB in the CATV bandwidth and from about 5 dB to about 20 dB inthe MoCA bandwidth without a bridge circuit. The first resistor has alesser resistance than each of the second resistors to minimize athrough-loss between the input and the plurality of outputs. Each of theplurality of second resistors has a substantially equal resistance.

In yet another embodiment, the system includes an input. The system alsoincludes a plurality of outputs. Each output is configured to connect toa customer premise equipment (CPE) device. The system also includes anin-home network adapter configured to connect to and be positionedbetween the input and the plurality of outputs. The system also includesa splitter configured to connect to and be positioned between thein-home network adapter and the plurality of outputs. The input isconfigured to receive signals in a cable television (CATV) bandwidth andsignals in a multimedia over coax alliance (MoCA) bandwidth. The in-homenetwork adapter includes a diplexer having a high-pass filter and alow-pass filter. The in-home network adapter is configured to allow thesignals in the MoCA bandwidth to pass from the input to the plurality ofoutputs and from the plurality of outputs to the input. The in-homenetwork adapter is configured to attenuate or prevent the signals in theCATV bandwidth from passing from the input to the plurality of outputs,from the plurality of outputs to the input, or both. The in-home networkadapter is configured to cause a return loss at the input to be in afirst predetermined range in the CATV bandwidth and in a secondpredetermined range in the MoCA bandwidth without a bridge circuit.

It will be appreciated that this summary is intended merely to introducesome aspects of the present methods, systems, and media, which are morefully described and/or claimed below. Accordingly, this summary is notintended to be limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the presentteachings and together with the description, serve to explain theprinciples of the present teachings.

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic view of a reflection-less in-home networkadapter (RNA) passing in-home (e.g., MoCA) signals and absorbing and/orattenuating non-in-home (e.g., CATV) signals, according to anembodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic view of an RNA with a terminated low-passfilter, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic view of an RNA with a low-pass filterincorporating an attenuation circuit, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 4 illustrates another schematic view of an RNA with a low-passfilter incorporating an attenuation circuit, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic view of a ferrite CATV/MoCA splitter thatincludes a RNA, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic view of an in-home-only resistivesplitter that includes a RNA, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 7 illustrates a schematic view of a system including an amplifierand an in-home network splitter, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 8 illustrates a schematic view of a system including a passivesplitter and an in-home network splitter, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 9 illustrates a schematic view of another system including apassive splitter and an in-home network splitter, according to anembodiment.

FIG. 10 illustrates a schematic view of another system including apassive splitter and an in-home network splitter, according to anembodiment.

FIG. 11 illustrates a schematic view of a system including a 7-waypassive splitter and an in-home network splitter, according to anembodiment.

FIG. 12 illustrates a schematic view of the RNA circuit of FIG. 2employed between an access network 2-way splitter and an in-home network4-way splitter with HPF elements at the home ports, according to anembodiment. This may promote a good impedance match and reduce/preventreflections in the CATV bandwidth.

FIG. 13 illustrates a graph of a response of the RNA circuit of FIG. 12between the 2-way access splitter and the 4-way in-home networksplitter, according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure may provide a reflection-lessin-home network adapter (RNA), which is a circuit that allows an in-homenetwork device or splitter to couple to another device or splitter foreffective coupling of the in-home network signals (e.g., in the MoCAbandwidth). The RNA may also provide (e.g., complete) isolation of thenon-in-home network signals (e.g., the CATV access network signalsand/or noise). The RNA may provide isolation in a number of ways moredesirable than with the use of a reflective filter, and thus, in someembodiments, the reflective filter may be omitted. The RNA creates apath that absorbs, attenuates, or terminates the CATV access signals(i.e., non-in-home signals) from reflecting at the input or transmittingthrough from the output to the input to prevent them from creatinginterference reflections back into the coupled network. The couplednetwork is the “CATV access network” which is coupled at the output ofan access network device (such as a MoCA amplifier or splitter) and theinput on an in-home network device. The RNA passes the in-home signals.

The RNA may be used to couple the CATV network and the MoCA (i.e.,in-home) network, which is new to the industry because the industry istransitioning to a more isolated in-home network architecture, whichincludes MoCA-only devices and isolation from the CATV access network.In the past, coupling or cascading devices typically passed all of theCATV and MoCA network signals, for example, using a CATV/MoCA entryamplifier and a passive CATV/MoCA splitter. The RNA may be used in theconventional ferrite-based CATV/MoCA splitter devices and inin-home-only resistive splitter devices to improve service and couplingbetween the networks. The RNA minimizes or eliminates interference andnoise signals.

The RNA may create a coupling or common point where an in-home splittercan adapt to existing access equipment that also passes the MoCAsignals. One way to accomplish this is to first pass the high-frequency(e.g., MoCA) signals but not the low-frequency (e.g., CATV) signals inthe upstream direction. This may help with noise mitigation. Secondly,because the access network passes all frequencies, it needs a good matchat all frequencies. The RNA may absorb, attenuate, or terminate thelow-frequency (e.g., CATV) signals so that they are not passed into thein-home network. This may prevent reflections outside the in-homenetwork. Thus, when the two networks are attached together with the RNApositioned therebetween, neither network is disrupted. The RNA alsohelps to maintain good return loss and minimize interference. This isshown in more detail in FIGS. 12 and 13, which are discussed below.

In an embodiment, the RNA may be constructed with a diplexer thatterminates the low frequency band into a matched terminator. The RNA mayalso incorporate an attenuator in the low frequency band. The lowfrequency band may be an isolated output or a coupled output. Thehigh-pass section may provide adequate rejection to block ingress noise.

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic view of a system 100 including a RNA 110,according to an embodiment. The RNA 110 may be connected to andpositioned between a CATV device 120 and a MoCA in-home device 130. TheCATV device 120 may be or include an active entry device that passesback and forth non-in-home signals in the CATV bandwidth (e.g., 5-1002MHz). When the RNA 110 is added to the system 100, the in-home signalsin the MoCA bandwidth (e.g., 1125-1675 MHz) may travel in bothdirections through the RNA 110. In other words, the signals in the MoCAbandwidth may travel from the CATV device 120, through the RNA 110, andto the MoCA in-home device 130, and from the MoCA in-home device 130,through the RNA 110, and to the CATV device 120. However, when the RNA110 is added to the system 100, the non-in-home signals or noise in theCATV bandwidth are absorbed or terminated in/by the RNA 110 and thus donot travel in the (e.g., upstream) direction toward the CATV device 120.In addition, the CATV band signals are not reflected back into the CATVdevice 120.

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic view of a system 200 including a RNA 210with a terminated low-pass filter 214, according to an embodiment. Inthis embodiment, the RNA 210 may be or include a diplexer including ahigh-pass filter 212 and a low-pass filter 214. The in-home signals inthe MoCA bandwidth may travel in both directions through the RNA 210.More particularly, the signals in the MoCA bandwidth may travel from theCATV device 120, through the high-pass filter 212 of the RNA 210, and tothe MoCA in-home device 130, and from the MoCA in-home device 130,through high-pass filter 212 of the RNA 210, and to the CATV device 120.The non-in-home signals in the CATV bandwidth may travel in a first(e.g., downstream) direction from the CATV device 120, through thelow-pass filter 214. There, the low-pass filter 214 may be terminated(e.g., with a 75 ohm resistor 216). The non-in-home signals in the CATVbandwidth may not travel in a second (e.g., upstream) direction throughthe RNA 210.

FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic view of a system 300 including a RNA 310with a low-pass filter 314 incorporating an attenuation circuit 316,according to an embodiment. As in FIG. 2, the RNA 310 in FIG. 3 may beor include a diplexer. In this embodiment, the outputs of the high-passfilter 312 and the low-pass filter 314 are isolated from one another.The low-pass filter 314 of the RNA 310 may include an attenuationcircuit (e.g., including a 75 ohm resistor) 316. The attenuation circuit316 may attenuate the non-in-home signals in the CATV bandwidth thatpass through the low-pass filter 314 of the RNA 310 (and the attenuationcircuit 316) to the point where there are no reflections and no return(e.g., upstream) signal.

FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic view of another system 400 including aRNA 410 with a low-pass filter 414 incorporating an attenuation circuit416, according to an embodiment. As in FIG. 3, the RNA 410 in FIG. 4 maybe or include a diplexer, and the low-pass filter 414 may include anattenuation circuit 416. However, unlike the RNA 310 in FIG. 3, thehigh-pass filter 412 and the low-pass filter 414 in the RNA 410 in FIG.4 may have a common input and a common output. In other words, thehigh-pass filter 412 and the low-pass filter 414 may be connected inparallel.

FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic view of a ferrite CATV/MoCA splitter 500that includes a RNA 510, according to an embodiment. The splitter 500may be or include an in-home-only splitter either resistive or a ferritecore or any combination thereof. The splitter 500 may include an input501 and a plurality of outputs (four are shown: 502-505). The RNA 510may be connected to and positioned between the input port 501 and acommon node 506 of the in-home splitter. Additionally, the RNA 510 maybe configured in the same orientation external to the input port 501.The RNA 510 may absorb and prevent interference on the access side(e.g., connected to the input 501) and also mitigate noise and lowfrequencies from leaving the in-home side (e.g., connected to theoutputs 502-505). Thus, the RNA 510 may preserve return loss.

HPFs 522-525 may be used at the outputs 502-505 to further isolate lowfrequency noise, surge, and ESD. The RNA 510 may also preventreflections at the input 501 in the CATV band when the HPFs 502-505 areused at the outputs 502-505. In addition, the RNA 510 may mitigate noiseand/or suppress in-home noise in the CATV band from being transmittedthrough the input 501 with or without the use of the HPFs 522-525 at theoutputs 502-505. The HPFs 522-525 may be any combination of seriesDC-blocking capacitance and shunt coils. The RNA 510 may be used toprevent reflections in the CATV band.

FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic view of an in-home-only resistivesplitter 600 that includes an RNA 610, according to an embodiment. Thesplitter 600 may be or include an in-home-only resistive wye-typesplitter. Thus, the splitter 600 may include a resistor 611 connected toand positioned between the RNA 610 and the common node 606, and aresistor 612-615 positioned between the common node 606 and each output602-605. The resistors 611-615 may all have a substantially equal value(e.g., 45 ohms). In at least one embodiment, the value of the resistor611 may be minimized, or the resistor 611 may be omitted/removed, tominimize insertion loss between the input 601 and any of the outputs602-605.

HPFs 622-625 may be used at the outputs 602-605 to further isolate lowfrequency noise, surge, and ESD. The RNA 610 may also preventreflections at the input 601 in the CATV band when the HPFs 602-605 areused at the outputs 602-605. In addition, the RNA 610 may mitigate noiseand/or suppress in-home noise in the CATV band from being transmittedthrough the input 601 with or without the use of the HPFs 622-625 at theoutputs 602-605. The HPFs 622-625 may be any combination of seriesDC-blocking capacitance and shunt coils. The RNA 610 may be used toprevent reflections in the CATV band.

FIG. 7 illustrates a schematic view of a system 700 including anamplifier 710 and a (e.g., 4-way) in-home network splitter 760,according to an embodiment. The amplifier 710 may be or include a 5-way(POE) docsis/MoCA amplifier. The amplifier 710 may be an access/in-homedevice. The amplifier 710 may pass all upstream and downstream signalsto the CATV headend and pass MoCA signals between every output port.Coupling the dedicated in-home splitter 760 to the amplifier 710 maygenerate adverse effects (e.g., let noise pass through or cause CATVband reflections). To prevent these adverse effects, an RNA 770 is shownin the splitter 760. The amplifier MoCA diplexers are MoCA bridging/POEdiplex filters, rather than in-home reflection-less network adapters.They do not absorb or attenuate the signals in the CATV bandwidth.

The signals in the CATV and MoCA bandwidths that exit the output 715 ofthe amplifier 710 may be introduced into the input 781 of the splitter760, where they are then introduced into the RNA 770. The signals in theCATV bandwidth may pass through the low-pass filter 774 of the third RNA770 and terminate in a matched terminator (e.g., including a 75 ohmresistor) 776. This may maintain a good match on the amplifier 710. Thesignals in the MoCA bandwidth may pass through the high-pass filter 772of the RNA 770 before being split and introduced to the outputs 782-785of the splitter 778. The RNA 770 may be used between CATV/MoCAamplifiers and ferrite CATV/MoCA splitter devices or between CATV/MoCAamplifiers and in-home-only resistive splitter devices.

HPFs 786-789 may be used at the outputs 782-785 to further isolate lowfrequency noise, surge, and ESD. The HPFs 786-789 may be any combinationof series DC-blocking capacitance and shunt coils.

FIG. 8 illustrates a schematic view of a system 800 including a passivesplitter 810 and the (e.g., 4-way) in-home network splitter 760,according to an embodiment. The passive splitter 810 may be or include a5-way point-of-entry (POE) docsis/MoCA passive splitter. The passivesplitter 810 may pass all access to all ports, and MoCA between alloutputs and may be stopped/blocked at the diplexers where it isreflected back by the low-pass filter sections. As a result, when thededicated in-home-only network splitter 760 is connected to the passivesplitter 810, the RNA 770 may preserve both networks. The RNA 770 inputhas an impedance match (e.g., return loss>18 dB) in the CATV band withthe access splitter outputs preventing interference reflections. The RNA770 input may have an industry standard impedance match (e.g., returnloss>5 dB) in the MoCA band with the access splitter outputs preventinginterference reflections in either direction.

The (e.g., 4-way) in-home network splitter 760 may be the same as inFIG. 7. The CATV signals pass upstream (i.e., from the customer premisesequipment (CPE) access device) and downstream (i.e., from the headendCMTS) between the input and output of the access splitter 810) wherethey are coupled to the input of the in-home-only network splitter 760and absorbed or attenuated in the low pass section of the RNA 770 toprevent interference reflections. The MoCA signals pass between theoutputs of the access splitter 810 (i.e., from/to CPE access devicessuch as: modems, gateways, DVRs) where they are coupled to the input ofthe in-home-only network splitter 760 and passed through the high passsection of the RNA 770 to and between all outputs 782-785 of thein-home-only network splitter 760 (i.e., from/to CPE such as: STBs stettop boxes, digital television adapters (DTAs)). The CPE set top boxesmay be 100% MoCA-only or both CATV and MoCA capable. Both will work,however, when deployed in an in-home MoCA only architecture. In thisinstance, only the MoCA features will function.

FIG. 9 illustrates a schematic view of another system 900 including apassive splitter 910 and the (e.g., 4-way) in-home network splitter 760,according to an embodiment. The passive splitter 910 may be or include a5-way POE docsis/MoCA passive splitter. The passive splitter 910 mayinclude a low-pass MoCA POE filter 940 connected between the input 911and the two-way splitter 920. This qualifies the passive splitter 910 asa passive entry splitter employed at the demarcation or drop point ofthe customer premises. The operation and signal flow of the passivesplitter 910 is very similar to that of passive splitter 810 with thedifference being the MoCA signal reflection point is located at the POELPF 940 rather than the POE MoCA diplexers 740, 750. The (e.g., 4-way)in-home network splitter 760 may be the same as in FIGS. 7 and 8.

FIG. 10 illustrates a schematic view of another system 1000 including apassive splitter 1010 and a (e.g., 4-way) in-home network splitter 760,according to an embodiment. The passive splitter 1010 may be or includea 5-way POE docsis/MoCA passive splitter. The modem and the two-waysplitter of FIGS. 7-9 may be omitted in this embodiment. The low-passMoCA POE filter 1040 may be employed external to the input 1011 of thesplitter 1010. When the low-pass MoCA POE filter 1040 is employedexternal to the input 1011 of the passive splitter 1010, this qualifiesthe passive splitter 1010 as a passive entry splitter employed at thedemarcation or drop point of the customer premises. The operation andsignal flow of the passive splitter 1010 is similar to that of passivesplitter 810 with the difference being that the MoCA signal reflectionpoint is located at the POE LPF 1040 rather than at the POE MoCAdiplexers 740, 750. The (e.g., 4-way) in-home network splitter 760 maybe the same as in FIGS. 7-9.

FIG. 11 illustrates a schematic view of a system 1100 including a 7-wayPOE docsis/MoCA passive splitter 1110 and the (e.g., 4-way) in-homenetwork splitter 760, according to an embodiment. The 7-way passivesplitter 1110 may include an input port 1111, one or more dedicatedin-home MoCA ports (four are shown: 1112-1115), and one or moreCATV/MoCA access ports (three are shown: 1116-1118) capable of beingused for transmitting signals in the in-home MoCA bandwidth and in theCATV bandwidth.

A two-way splitter 1120 may be connected to the ports 1117, 1118.Another two-way splitter 1122 may be connected to the port 1116 and thetwo-way splitter 1120. A diplexer 1140 may have a low-pass filter 1144connected to the input 1111, a common port connected to the two-waysplitter 1122, and a high-pass filter 1142 connected to a four-waysplitter 1124, which is connected to the ports 1112-1115. The diplexer1140 may allow signals in the in-home MoCA bandwidth to traverse throughthe high-pass filter 1142 and common port, and through the two-waysplitters 1120, 1122. The two-way splitters 1120, 1122 may be ferrite orresistive. Various configurations may include either a direct couplingbetween the common node of the diplexer 1140 to a CATV/MoCA access port1116 and/or a cascaded combination of ferrite and/or resistive splitterscoupled between the common node of diplexer 1140 to one or moreCATV/MoCA access ports 1116-1118. More particularly, access networks mayuse ferrite splitters, and in-home networks may use resistive splitters.When the low-pass section 1144 of the MoCA POE diplexer 1042 is employedwith the low-pass section 1144 coupled to the input of the 7-way POEdocsis/MoCA passive splitter 1110, it qualifies the splitter 1110 as apassive entry splitter employed at the demarcation or drop point of thecustomer premises. The operation and signal flow of 7-way POEdocsis/MoCA passive splitter 1110 is similar to that of passive splitter810 with the difference being the MoCA signal reflection point locatedat the POE LPF section 1144 rather than the POE MoCA diplexers 740, 750.

FIG. 12 illustrates a schematic view of the RNA circuit 200 of FIG. 2employed between an access network 2-way splitter 1210 and an in-homenetwork 4-way splitter 760 with HPF elements 786-789 at the home ports782-785, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 13 illustrates a graph 1300 of a response of the RNA circuit 200between the 2-way access splitter 1210 and the 4-way in-home networksplitter 760, according to an embodiment. The first trace 1310 is an s11reflection measurement or return loss at the access splitter input 1212.The first trace 1310 shows good return loss in the CATV band (e.g., >20dB) and comparably good return loss in the MoCA band (e.g., >5 dB).There are no reflections from the input port 781 in the CATV access band(i.e., 5 MHz-1002 MHz) and minimal reflections in the MoCA band (i.e.,1125 MHz-1675 MHz).

The second trace 1320 is an s22 reflection measurement or return loss atthe home splitter output 783. The second trace 1320 shows good returnloss in the MoCA band and poor return loss or reflections low frequencynoise due to HPF elements 786-789 at the home ports 782-785.

The third trace 1330 is an s21 transmission measurement or insertionloss between the access splitter input 1212 and home splitter output783. The third trace 1330 shows good isolation in the CATV access band(e.g., >40 dB between 5 MHz and 1002 MHz) and good pass band isolationin the in-home MoCA band (e.g., <25 dB between 1125 MHz and 1675 MHz).

While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, otheraspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art.The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes ofillustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scopeand spirit being indicated by the following claims. The presentdisclosure is not to be limited in terms of the particular embodimentsdescribed in this application, which are intended as illustrations ofvarious aspects. Many modifications and variations can be made withoutdeparting from its spirit and scope, as will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art. Functionally equivalent apparatuses within the scopeof the disclosure, in addition to those enumerated herein will beapparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing descriptions.Such modifications and variations are intended to fall within the scopeof the appended claims. The present disclosure is to be limited only bythe terms of the appended claims, along with the full scope ofequivalents to which such claims are entitled. It is also to beunderstood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose ofdescribing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to belimiting.

With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singularterms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from theplural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as isappropriate to the context and/or application. The varioussingular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sakeof clarity.

It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, termsused herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of theappended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term“including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” theterm “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term“includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,”etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if aspecific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such anintent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence ofsuch recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid tounderstanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of theintroductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claimrecitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed toimply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinitearticles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing suchintroduced claim recitation to embodiments containing only one suchrecitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases“one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or“an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should be interpreted to mean “at least one”or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articlesused to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specificnumber of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, thoseskilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should beinterpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the barerecitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, means at leasttwo recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in thoseinstances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C,etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the senseone having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “asystem having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not belimited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and Btogether, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and Ctogether, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to “atleast one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a constructionis intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understandthe convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” wouldinclude but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, Calone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A,B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those withinthe art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting twoor more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, ordrawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities ofincluding one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. Forexample, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include thepossibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.” In addition, where features oraspects of the disclosure are described in terms of Markush groups,those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure is alsothereby described in terms of any individual member or subgroup ofmembers of the Markush group.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system, comprising: a first device comprising: a first input; a first splitter configured to connect to the first input; a first diplexer comprising a first common port, a first high-pass filter, and a first low-pass filter, wherein a first output of the first splitter is configured to connect to the first common port; a second diplexer comprising a second common port, a second high-pass filter, and a second low-pass filter, wherein the first high-pass filter is configured to connect to the second high-pass filter, and wherein the first low-pass filter is configured to connect to the second low-pass filter; a first diode configured to connect to and be positioned between the first and second high-pass filters; a second diode configured to connect to and be positioned between the first and second low-pass filters; a third diplexer comprising a third common port, a third high-pass filter, and a third low-pass filter, wherein the second common port is configured to connect to the third low-pass filter; a fourth diplexer comprising a fourth common port, a fourth high-pass filter, and a fourth low-pass filter, wherein a second output of the first splitter is configured to connect to the fourth low-pass filter, wherein the third high-pass filter is configured to connect to the fourth high-pass filter; a second splitter configured to connect to the third common port; a first output configured to connect to the fourth common port; and a plurality of second outputs configured to connect to the second splitter; and a second device comprising: a second input configured to connect to one of the second outputs; a plurality of third outputs, wherein each third output is configured to connect to a customer premise equipment (CPE) device; an in-home network adapter configured to connect to and be positioned between the second input and the plurality of third outputs; a third splitter configured to connect to and be positioned between the in-home network adapter and the plurality of third outputs; a first resistor configured to connect to and be positioned between the in-home network adapter and the third splitter; a plurality of second resistors, wherein one of the plurality of second resistors is configured to connect to and be positioned between the third splitter and each of the plurality of third outputs; wherein the first diode is configured to allow signals to pass from the first high-pass filter to the second high-pass filter; wherein the first diode is configured to prevent signals from passing from the second high-pass filter to the first high-pass filter; wherein the second diode is configured to allow signals to pass from the second low-pass filter to the first low-pass filter; wherein the second diode is configured to prevent signals from passing from the first low-pass filter to the second low-pass filter; wherein the second input is configured to receive signals in a cable television (CATV) bandwidth and signals in a multimedia over coax alliance (MoCA) bandwidth from the first device; wherein the in-home network adapter comprises a fifth diplexer comprising a fifth high-pass filter and a fifth low-pass filter; wherein the in-home network adapter is configured to allow the signals in the MoCA bandwidth to pass from the second input to the plurality of third outputs and from the plurality of third outputs to the second input; wherein the in-home network adapter is configured to attenuate or prevent the signals in the CATV bandwidth from passing from the second input to the plurality of third outputs, from the plurality of third outputs to the second input, or both; wherein the in-home network adapter is configured to cause a return loss at the second input to be greater than 20 dB in the CATV bandwidth and between about 5 dB and about 20 dB in the MoCA bandwidth without a bridge circuit; wherein the in-home network adapter is configured to cause a return loss at one of the plurality of third outputs to be between about 0 dB and about 45 dB in the CATV bandwidth and between about 18 dB and about 42 dB in the MoCA bandwidth without the bridge circuit; wherein the in-home network adapter is configured to cause an insertion loss between the second input and the one of the plurality of third outputs to be greater than about 40 dB in the CATV bandwidth and between about 15 dB and about 25 dB in the MoCA bandwidth without the bridge circuit; wherein the first resistor has a lesser resistance than each of the second resistors to minimize a through-loss of the second device; and wherein each of the plurality of second resistors has a substantially equal resistance.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the fifth high-pass filter and the fifth low-pass filter have a common input and a common output such that the fifth high-pass filter and the fifth low pass filter are connected in parallel.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the fifth low-pass filter comprises two low-pass filter portions and an attenuator circuit that are connected in series with the attenuator circuit positioned between the two low-pass filter portions.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the second device does not comprise the bridge circuit.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the in-home network adapter does not comprise the bridge circuit.
 6. A system, comprising: an input; a plurality of outputs, wherein each output is configured to connect to a customer premise equipment (CPE) device; an in-home network adapter configured to connect to and be positioned between the input and the plurality of outputs; a splitter configured to connect to and be positioned between the in-home network adapter and the plurality of outputs; a first resistor configured to connect to and be positioned between the in-home network adapter and the splitter; a plurality of second resistors, wherein one of the plurality of second resistors is configured to connect to and be positioned between the splitter and each of the plurality of outputs; wherein the input is configured to receive signals in a cable television (CATV) bandwidth and signals in a multimedia over coax alliance (MoCA) bandwidth; wherein the in-home network adapter comprises a diplexer comprising a high-pass filter and a low-pass filter; wherein the in-home network adapter is configured to allow the signals in the MoCA bandwidth to pass from the input to the plurality of outputs and from the plurality of outputs to the input; wherein the in-home network adapter is configured to attenuate or prevent the signals in the CATV bandwidth from passing from the input to the plurality of outputs, from the plurality of outputs to the input, or both; wherein the in-home network adapter is configured to cause a return loss at the input to be greater than 20 dB in the CATV bandwidth and between about 5 dB and about 20 dB in the MoCA bandwidth without a bridge circuit; wherein the first resistor has a lesser resistance than each of the second resistors to minimize a through-loss between the input and the plurality of outputs; and wherein each of the plurality of second resistors has a substantially equal resistance.
 7. The system of claim 6, wherein the in-home network adapter is configured to cause a return loss at one of the plurality of outputs to be between about 0 dB and about 45 dB in the CATV bandwidth and between about 18 dB and about 42 dB in the MoCA bandwidth without the bridge circuit.
 8. The system of claim 6, wherein the in-home network adapter is configured to cause an insertion loss between the input and the one of the plurality of outputs to be greater than about 40 dB in the CATV bandwidth and between about 15 dB and about 25 dB in the MoCA bandwidth without the bridge circuit.
 9. The system of claim 6, wherein the high-pass filter and the low-pass filter have a common input and a common output such that the high-pass filter and the low pass filter are connected in parallel.
 10. The system of claim 6, wherein the low-pass filter comprises two low-pass filter portions and an attenuator circuit that are connected in series with the attenuator circuit positioned between the two low-pass filter portions.
 11. The system of claim 6, wherein the in-home network adapter does not comprise the bridge circuit.
 12. The system of claim 6, further comprising: a second input; a second splitter configured to connect to the second input; a second diplexer, wherein a first output of the second splitter is configured to connect to the second diplexer; and a third diplexer, wherein the second diplexer is configured to connect to the third diplexer.
 13. The system of claim 12, further comprising: a first diode configured to connect to and be positioned between the second and third diplexers; and a second diode configured to connect to and be positioned between the second and third diplexers.
 14. The system of claim 13, wherein the first diode is configured to allow signals to pass from the second diplexer to the third diplexer, and wherein the first diode is configured to prevent signals from passing from the third diplexer to the second diplexer.
 15. The system of claim 13, wherein the second diode is configured to allow signals to pass from the third diplexer to the second diplexer, and wherein the second diode is configured to prevent signals from passing from the second diplexer to the third diplexer.
 16. The system of claim 12, further comprising: a fourth diplexer, wherein the third diplexer is configured to connect to the fourth diplexer; a fifth diplexer, wherein a second output of the second splitter is configured to connect to the fifth diplexer, wherein the fourth diplexer is configured to connect to the fifth diplexer; a third splitter configured to connect to the fourth diplexer; a second output configured to connect to the fifth diplexer; and a plurality of third outputs configured to connect to the third splitter.
 17. A system, comprising: an input; a plurality of outputs, wherein each output is configured to connect to a customer premise equipment (CPE) device; an in-home network adapter configured to connect to and be positioned between the input and the plurality of outputs; a splitter configured to connect to and be positioned between the in-home network adapter and the plurality of outputs; wherein the input is configured to receive signals in a cable television (CATV) bandwidth and signals in a multimedia over coax alliance (MoCA) bandwidth; wherein the in-home network adapter comprises a diplexer comprising a high-pass filter and a low-pass filter; wherein the in-home network adapter is configured to allow the signals in the MoCA bandwidth to pass from the input to the plurality of outputs and from the plurality of outputs to the input; wherein the in-home network adapter is configured to attenuate or prevent the signals in the CATV bandwidth from passing from the input to the plurality of outputs, from the plurality of outputs to the input, or both; and wherein the in-home network adapter is configured to cause a return loss at the input to be in a first predetermined range in the CATV bandwidth and in a second predetermined range in the MoCA bandwidth without a bridge circuit.
 18. The system of claim 17, wherein the high-pass filter and the low-pass filter have a common input and a common output such that the high-pass filter and the low pass filter are connected in parallel.
 19. The system of claim 17, wherein the low-pass filter comprises two low-pass filter portions and an attenuator circuit that are connected in series with the attenuator circuit positioned between the two low-pass filter portions.
 20. The system of claim 17, wherein the in-home network adapter does not comprise the bridge circuit.
 21. The system of claim 17, further comprising: a second input; a second splitter configured to connect to the second input; a second diplexer, wherein a first output of the second splitter is configured to connect to the second diplexer; and a third diplexer, wherein the second diplexer is configured to connect to the third diplexer.
 22. The system of claim 21, further comprising: a first diode configured to connect to and be positioned between the second and third diplexers; and a second diode configured to connect to and be positioned between the second and third diplexers.
 23. The system of claim 22, wherein the first diode is configured to allow signals to pass from the second diplexer to the third diplexer, wherein the first diode is configured to prevent signals from passing from the third diplexer to the second diplexer, wherein the second diode is configured to allow signals to pass from the third diplexer to the second diplexer, and wherein the second diode is configured to prevent signals from passing from the second diplexer to the third diplexer.
 24. The system of claim 21, further comprising: a fourth diplexer, wherein the third diplexer is configured to connect to the fourth diplexer; a fifth diplexer, wherein a second output of the second splitter is configured to connect to the fifth diplexer, wherein the fourth diplexer is configured to connect to the fifth diplexer; a third splitter configured to connect to the fourth diplexer; a second output configured to connect to the fifth diplexer; and a plurality of third outputs configured to connect to the third splitter.
 25. The system of claim 17, further comprising: a first resistor configured to connect to and be positioned between the in-home network adapter and the splitter; and a plurality of second resistors, wherein one of the plurality of second resistors is configured to connect to and be positioned between the splitter and each of the plurality of outputs.
 26. The system of claim 25, wherein the first resistor has a lesser resistance than each of the second resistors to minimize a through-loss of the second device.
 27. The system of claim 25, wherein each of the plurality of second resistors has a substantially equal resistance.
 28. The system of claim 17, wherein the first predetermined range is greater than 20 dB.
 29. The system of claim 17, wherein the second predetermined range is between about 5 dB and about 20 dB.
 30. The system of claim 17, wherein the in-home network adapter is configured to cause a return loss at one of the plurality of outputs to be in a third predetermined range in the CATV bandwidth, and wherein the third predetermined range is between about 0 dB and about 45 dB.
 31. The system of claim 17, wherein the in-home network adapter is configured to cause a return loss at one of the plurality of outputs to be in a third predetermined range in the MoCA bandwidth without the bridge circuit, and wherein the third predetermined range is between about 18 dB and about 42 dB.
 32. The system of claim 17, wherein the in-home network adapter is configured to cause an insertion loss between the input and the one of the plurality of outputs to be in a third predetermined range in the CATV bandwidth, and wherein the third predetermined range is greater than about 40 dB.
 33. The system of claim 17, wherein the in-home network adapter is configured to cause an insertion loss between the input and the one of the plurality of outputs to be in a third predetermined range in the MoCA bandwidth without the bridge circuit, and wherein the third predetermined range is between about 15 dB and about 25 dB.
 34. A splitter comprising: a network adapter configured to be connected to and be positioned between an input and a plurality of outputs; wherein the network adapter is configured to attenuate or prevent signals in a cable television (CATV) bandwidth from passing from the input to the plurality of outputs, from the plurality of outputs to the input, or both; and wherein the network adapter is configured to cause a return loss at the input to be in a first predetermined range in the CATV bandwidth and in a second predetermined range in a multimedia over coax alliance (MoCA) bandwidth without a bridge circuit.
 35. The splitter of claim 34, wherein the network adapter is configured to allow the signals in the MoCA bandwidth to pass from the input to the plurality of outputs and from the plurality of outputs to the input.
 36. The splitter of claim 34, wherein the network adapter comprises a diplexer comprising a high-pass filter and a low-pass filter.
 37. The splitter of claim 36, wherein the high-pass filter and the low-pass filter have a common input and a common output such that the high-pass filter and the low pass filter are connected in parallel.
 38. The splitter of claim 36, wherein the low-pass filter comprises two low-pass filter portions and an attenuator circuit that are connected in series with the attenuator circuit positioned between the two low-pass filter portions.
 39. The splitter of claim 34, wherein the network adapter does not comprise the bridge circuit.
 40. The splitter of claim 34, further comprising a splitter device configured to connect to and be positioned between the network adapter and the plurality of outputs.
 41. The splitter of claim 40, further comprising a first resistor configured to connect to and be positioned between the network adapter and the splitter device; and a plurality of second resistors, wherein one of the plurality of second resistors is configured to connect to and be positioned between the splitter device and each of the plurality of outputs.
 42. The splitter of claim 34, wherein the first predetermined range is greater than 20 dB.
 43. The splitter of claim 34, wherein the second predetermined range is between about 5 dB and about 20 dB.
 44. The splitter of claim 34, wherein the network adapter is configured to cause a return loss at one of the plurality of outputs to be in a third predetermined range in the CATV bandwidth, and wherein the third predetermined range is between about 0 dB and about 45 dB.
 45. The splitter of claim 34, wherein the network adapter is configured to cause a return loss at one of the plurality of outputs to be in a third predetermined range in the MoCA bandwidth without the bridge circuit, and wherein the third predetermined range is between about 18 dB and about 42 dB.
 46. The splitter of claim 34, wherein the network adapter is configured to cause an insertion loss between the input and the one of the plurality of outputs to be in a third predetermined range in the CATV bandwidth, and wherein the third predetermined range is greater than about 40 dB.
 47. The splitter of claim 34, wherein the network adapter is configured to cause an insertion loss between the input and the one of the plurality of outputs to be in a third predetermined range in the MoCA bandwidth without the bridge circuit, and wherein the third predetermined range is between about 15 dB and about 25 dB.
 48. A system for attenuating and splitting electronic signals comprising: the splitter of claim 34; and an electronic component configured to output electronic signals in the CATV bandwidth and in the MoCA bandwidth; wherein the electronic component is configured to output one of the electronic signals to the input of the splitter.
 49. The system of claim 48, wherein the electronic component includes an amplifier having a plurality of amplifier outputs configured to output the electronic signals in the CATV bandwidth and in the MoCA bandwidth; and wherein one of the amplifier outputs is configured to be connected to the input of the splitter.
 50. A splitter comprising: attenuating means configured to be connected to and be positioned between an input and a plurality of outputs of the splitter, the attenuating means for attenuating or preventing signals in a cable television (CATV) bandwidth from passing from the input to the plurality of outputs; and return loss means for causing a return loss at the input to be in a first predetermined range in the CATV bandwidth and in a second predetermined range in a multimedia over coax alliance (MoCA) bandwidth without a bridge circuit.
 51. The splitter of claim 50, wherein the attenuating means and the return loss means comprise a network adapter.
 52. The splitter of claim 51, wherein the return loss means comprises a network adapter.
 53. The splitter of claim 52, wherein the network adapter is configured to allow the signals in the MoCA bandwidth to pass from the input to the plurality of outputs and from the plurality of outputs to the input.
 54. The splitter of claim 52, wherein the network adapter comprises a diplexer comprising a high-pass filter and a low-pass filter.
 55. The splitter of claim 52, wherein the high-pass filter and the low-pass filter have a common input and a common output such that the high-pass filter and the low pass filter are connected in parallel.
 56. The splitter of claim 55, wherein the low-pass filter comprises two low-pass filter portions and an attenuator circuit that are connected in series with the attenuator circuit positioned between the two low-pass filter portions.
 57. The splitter of claim 52, wherein the network adapter does not comprise the bridge circuit.
 58. The splitter of claim 52, further comprising a splitter device configured to connect to and be positioned between the network adapter and the plurality of outputs.
 59. The splitter of claim 58, further comprising: a first resistor configured to connect to and be positioned between the network adapter and the splitter device; and a plurality of second resistors, wherein one of the plurality of second resistors is configured to connect to and be positioned between the splitter device and each of the plurality of outputs.
 60. The splitter of claim 50, wherein the first predetermined range is greater than 20 dB.
 61. The splitter of claim 50, wherein the second predetermined range is between about 5 dB and about 20 dB.
 62. The splitter of claim 50, wherein the network adapter is configured to cause a return loss at one of the plurality of outputs to be in a third predetermined range in the CATV bandwidth, and wherein the third predetermined range is between about 0 dB and about 45 dB.
 63. The splitter of claim 50, wherein the network adapter is configured to cause a return loss at one of the plurality of outputs to be in a third predetermined range in the MoCA bandwidth without the bridge circuit, and wherein the third predetermined range is between about 18 dB and about 42 dB.
 64. The splitter of claim 50, wherein the network adapter is configured to cause an insertion loss between the input and the one of the plurality of outputs to be in a third predetermined range in the CATV bandwidth, and wherein the third predetermined range is greater than about 40 dB.
 65. The splitter of claim 50, wherein the network adapter is configured to cause an insertion loss between the input and the one of the plurality of outputs to be in a third predetermined range in the MoCA bandwidth without the bridge circuit, and wherein the third predetermined range is between about 15 dB and about 25 dB.
 66. A system for attenuating and splitting electronic signals comprising: the splitter of claim 50; an electronic component configured to output electronic signals in the CATV bandwidth and in the MoCA bandwidth; and wherein the electronic component is configured to output one of the electronic signals to the input of the splitter.
 67. The system of claim 66, wherein the electronic component includes an amplifier having a plurality of amplifier outputs configured to output the electronic signals in the CATV bandwidth and in the MoCA bandwidth; and wherein one of the amplifier outputs is configured to be connected to the input of the splitter. 